Abstract: A method for culturing neural cells using a culture medium is provided. Each neural cell includes a neural cell body and at least one neurite branched from the neural cell body. The culture medium includes a substrate and a carbon nanotube structure located on the substrate. A surface of the carbon nanotube structure is polarized to form a polar surface. The neural cells are cultured on the polar surface to grow neurites along the carbon nanotube wires. The carbon nanotube structure includes a number of carbon nanotube wires spaced apart from each other. A distance between adjacent carbon nanotube wires is greater than or equal to a diameter of the neural cell body.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to supports and scaffolds for cell and tissue engineering. The supports disclosed herein are composed of a thermally responsive material, containing pillars, that is coated with an acrylic polymer, thereby imparting an amphipathic matrix foundation. When exposed to a change in temperature, the coated support reacts by facilitating or repelling hydromolecular interactions. Further disclosed herein are methods for making hydrogels that can support tissue growth.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the growth, development and repair of bone, cartilage or other connective tissue. Devices and stimulus waveforms are provided to differentially modulate the behavior of osteoblasts, chondrocytes and other connective tissue cells to promote proliferation, differentiation, matrix formation or mineralization for in vitro or in vivo applications. Continuous-mode and pulse-burst-mode stimulation of cells with charge-balanced signals may be used. Bone, cartilage and other connective tissue growth is stimulated in part by nitric oxide release through electrical stimulation and may be modulated through co-administration of NO donors and NO synthase inhibitors. Bone, cartilage and other connective tissue growth is stimulated in part by release of BMP-2 and BMP-7 in response to electrical stimulation to promote differentiation of cells.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for seeding cells on to a support. In particular, the method relates to a method for seeding cells onto a porous hydrophobic support. The method utilizes centrifugal forces to uniformly guide cell seeding into the support with no loss in viability.

Abstract: The invention provides, among other things, methods and compositions for expanding stem cells. The invention further provides methods, devices and systems for directing differentiation of expanded stem cells. The invention further provides methods, devices and systems for treating a subject with differentiated cells in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Thermostable FGF-2 proteins having enhanced ability to support human pluripotent stem cell cultures are provided. Also provided are methods and compositions utilizing thermostable FGF-2 proteins.

Abstract: A method for preparing lymphocytes characterized in that the method comprises the step of carrying out expansion in the presence of (a) fibronectin, a fragment thereof or a mixture thereof, (b) a CD3 ligand, and (c) a CD28 ligand.

Abstract: The present application relates to a composition comprising the components listed in Table I in an amount that will lead to the respective concentration specified in Table I for each of said component when said composition is diluted with water into 1× medium, said composition being particularly suitable to generate a chemically-defined medium suitable for culturing cells, especially primary cells, maintaining their proliferation and differentiation potential.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing corneal endothelial progenitor cells by adherent culturing a cell population isolated from corneal endothelial cell tissue at a low density by using a serum-free medium. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing corneal endothelial cells by differentiation-inducing the corneal endothelial progenitor cells obtained by the aforementioned method. According to the present invention, corneal endothelial progenitor cells can be selectively grown from a corneal tissue-derived cell population, and corneal endothelial cells obtained by inducing the corneal endothelial progenitor cells can be applied to treatment of corneal endothelial diseases. As a result, problems of corneal transplantation such as shortage of donors and occurrence of rejection can be solved.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a cell culturing substrate including: a cell culture surface having a film attached thereto, wherein the film includes one or more plasma polymerized monomers; and a coating on the film-coated surface, the coating deposited from a coating solution comprising one or more extracellular matrix proteins and an aqueous solvent, where the total extracellular matrix protein concentration in the coating solution is about 1 ng/mL to about 1 mg/mL.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a cell culture system and a serum-free method for cultivating cells. The cell culture system includes a substratum, wherein the substratum has a surface. A polymer is disposed on the surface of the substratum, wherein the polymer is prepared by polymerizing a first monomer with a second monomer. The first monomer has a structure as represented by Formula (I), and the second monomer has a structure as represented by Formula (II): wherein, R1 is hydrogen or methyl; R2 is methyl, ethyl, or —CH2CH2OCH3; R3 is hydrogen or methyl; and, R4 is hydrogen, —CH2CH2OCOCHCHCOOH, —CH2CH2OCOCH2CH2COOH, or —CH2CH2COOH.

Abstract: Synthetic surfaces suitable for culturing stem cell derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells contain acrylate polymers formed from one or more acrylate monomers. The acrylate surfaces, in many cases, are suitable for culturing stem cell derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in chemically defined media.

Abstract: There is described a group of novel self-assembling peptides (SAPs), comprising biotinylated and unbiotinylated sequences, hybrid peptide-peptoid sequences, branched sequences for a total of 48 tested motifs, showing a heterogeneous ensemble of spontaneously self-assembled structures at the nano- and microscale, ranging from short tabular fibers to twisted ribbons, nanotubes and hierarchical self-assembled micrometer-long sheets. Specifically, the SAPs according to the present invention which initially spontaneous assemble, surprisingly form stable solid scaffolds upon exposure to neutral pH buffer. Further these SAPs allow adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of murine and human neural stem cells and have self-healing propensity. They also did not exert toxic effects in the central nervous system, can stop bleeding and foster nervous regeneration.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the development of compositions, such as extracellular matrices, and processes for using the same, for culturing stem cells in vitro in an undifferentiated state. In this regard, it has been discovered that when pluripotent mouse and human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-10 (laminin-511) or laminin-5 (laminin-322), or their functional domains, the embryonic stem cells proliferated and maintained their pluripotency.

Abstract: The present invention discloses protein fragment including a cell binding region of fibronectin and methods of using the same for cell culture. Additionally, surfaces modified with such protein fragment and compositions including the same are provided. Desirably, such surfaces allow various cells to adhere thereto yet avoid issues associated with animal-derived products.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a cell culture substrate, and a cell culturing method using the substrate and a method for inducing differentiation of pluripotent stem cells using the substrate, which allow culturing of pluripotent stem cells and allow differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into a specified cell species, particularly neural and neural progenitor cells, at a high purity. [Means for Solution] A cell culture substrate, characterized in that, onto the surface, one or more selected from the group consisting of N-cadherin, a fusion protein comprising an entire or partial region of N-cadherin, and a fusion protein comprising an entire or partial region of a protein homologous to N-cadherin are immobilized or coated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for culturing human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and/or induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells on a lectin. The invention relates also to the use of a lectin in a method for culturing human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and/or induced pluripotent stem (iPS) celts and a culture medium composition containing a lectin attached on the culturing plates.

Abstract: Heterogeneous nanowires having a core-shell structure consisting of single-crystal apatite as the core and graphitic layers as the shell and a synthesis method thereof are provided. More specifically, provided is a method capable of producing large amounts of heterogeneous nanowires, composed of graphitic shells and apatite cores, in a reproducible manner, by preparing a substrate including an element corresponding to X of X5(YO4)3Z is a chemical formula for apatite, adding to the substrate a gaseous source containing an element corresponding to Y of the chemical formula, adding thereto a gaseous carbon source, and allowing these reactants to react under optimized synthesis conditions using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and to a method capable of freely controlling the structure and size of the heterogeneous nanowires and also to heterogeneous nanowires synthesized thereby.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides products (articles) of manufacture comprising nanostructures such as nanotubes having a surface comprising tantalum. In alternative embodiments, products of manufacture of the invention include nanostructures, e.g., nanotubes, nanowire, nanopore, and the like comprising a surface layer of tantalum. In alternative embodiments, products or articles of manufacture of the invention are bioimplants, and the tantalum-surface-coated nanostructures of the invention provide increased bioactivity and bone forming ability. In alternative embodiments, products or articles of manufacture of the invention, e.g., bioimplants, comprising the tantalum-surface-coated nanostructures of the invention are used for in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo testing, implants, biomedical devices and therapeutics.

Abstract: A porous, collagen coated, ferromagnetic cell culture microcarrier, which is suitable for in vitro cell and tissue culture and which facilitates 3D multicellular construct generation. Also provided is a method for creating batches of microcarriers which have inserted within them magnetite (Fe3O4) in the presence of collagen, thus creating a microcarrier which becomes magnetic in nature when placed in a the presence of a magnetic field and which facilitates cellular adherence (via the collagen coating) for 3D construct development.

Abstract: A microfluidic cell culture apparatus includes a cell retention chamber and a perfusion channel. The cell retention chamber has a structured surface. The structured surface includes a major surface from which a plurality of projections extends into the chamber. The plurality of projections are arranged to suspend cells cultured in the chamber above the major surface. The first perfusion channel is configured to provide laminar flow of a fluid through the channel and forms a plurality of openings in communication with the cell retention chamber. The openings are configured to prevent cells from the retention chamber from entering the perfusion channel.

Abstract: Isolated liver progenitor stem cells and cell populations of isolated liver progenitor stem cells are disclosed. The progenitor stem cells originate from adult liver, especially human adult liver. The isolated progenitor stem cells have uses in medicine, hepatology, inborn errors of liver metabolism transplantation, infectious diseases and liver failure. Methods of isolating these cells and their culture is described. The isolated cells are characterized before and after differentiation. Their use for transplantation and as animal models of human disease, toxicology and pharmacology is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for improving bioactivity of a surface of a surgical suture and sutures prepared thereby provides forming a gas-cluster ion-beam (GCIB) in a reduced-pressure chamber, introducing a surgical suture into the reduced-pressure chamber, and irradiating at least a first portion of the surface of said surgical suture with a GLIB derived beam.

Abstract: Methods and compositions provide suitable support material for culturing cells with a desirable metabolic activity. For example, keratinocytes directly grown on flexible supports show metabolic activity. Therapeutic methods and compositions, including wound healing technologies, using the cells grown on flexible supports, wherein the cells exhibit increased metabolic activity are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inducing differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into mesodermal cells, comprising the step of culturing pluripotent stem cells in a serum-free medium without forming an embryoid body and without coculturing with cells from a different species.

Abstract: A microchip is provided that forms cellular tissues having uniform shapes and sizes and that can culture the formed cellular tissues for long periods of time. The cellular tissue microchip comprises a plurality of cell-retaining cavities (12) for retaining cells, wherein a bottom surface (20) of the cell-retaining cavities has one adhesive region (30) that exhibits cellular adhesiveness and a non-adhesive region (32) that surrounds the adhesive region (30) and that exhibits cellular non-adhesiveness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of manufacture and utility of an artificial trabecular meshwork [TM] that utilizes micro- and nanofabricated materials bioengineered to mimic the structure and function of native outflow system of the eye.

Abstract: A method for the construction of arrays from self-assembling monolayers is described. The arrays have particular utility for the screening of peptides ligands that can foster the growth of cells in culture. This technique has been used to identify peptide ligands that foster the growth of human stem cells, which otherwise require an extracellular matrix in order to grow in an undifferentiated state. This also makes possible an assay to identify other such peptides.

Abstract: An anterior ocular segment related cell sheet or three-dimensional structure that have only a few structural defects as they have been recovered retaining the intercellular desmosome structure and the basement membrane-like protein between cell and substrate. The anterior ocular segment related cell sheet or three-dimensional structure is produced by a process comprising the steps of cultivating cells on a cell culture support comprising a substrate having its surface covered with a temperature responsive polymer having an upper or lower critical dissolution temperature of 0-80° C.

Abstract: Methods for inducing differentiation of dermis-derived cells to serve as a source of chondrocytes and associated methods of use in forming tissue engineered constructs. One example of a method is a method for inducing differentiation of cells into chondrocytes comprising providing aggrecan sensitive isolated dermis cells and seeding the cells onto an aggrecan coated surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a soft substrate and to the soft substrate produced thereby, said substrate being particularly useful for cell culture.

Abstract: Cell attachment coatings for articles such as implantable medical devices and cell culture vessels are disclosed. The coatings include an intermediate coater layer which includes a phosphorous-containing component that is bonded in the coating by reacted photoreactive functional groups. The coating also include a second coated layer including an immobilized ECM protein or peptide that includes an active portion of an ECM protein that is able to serve as an outer layer to contact cells during use. The coatings promoted enhanced cell binding and growth.

Abstract: The present invention is generally in the field of neurological diseases and disorders, particular in the field of neurodegenerative diseases in which the myelin cover of nerves is lost. IL6R/IL6 chimera is used to promote the formation of oligodendrocytes from embryonic stem cells for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases or posttraumatic nerve damage.

Abstract: Aspects of implementations wherein reductions in contamination in transplantation cell population are disclosed herein, including incubating a suspended population of live cells in a culture medium with a substrate having surface that promotes cell to cell adhesion. During the process, the incubating is in absence of substantial mechanical disturbance of the culture medium and cells are in the culture medium for a predetermined period of time. A resulting population of cells which is relatively reduced or eliminated in contaminants is taught. Said population of cells may be collectable by centrifugation and is separable from said contaminants by centrifugation.

Abstract: A synthetic cell culture surface, prepared from a mixture of at least three (meth)acrylate monomers where one of the monomers has an N-hydroxysuccinimide moiety is provided, which supports the growth of cells including undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells in defined media. Methods for preparing the cell culture surface is also provided.

Abstract: A dynamically alterable cell support may be altered at a large scale to induce mechanical removal of adherent cells in culture without the use of a removal solution. For example, adherent cells may be cultured on an elastic support with one or more textured surface regions and removed by expansion/contraction of the support. Mechanical removal of adherent cells may reduce or minimize damage to cell surface markers, cellular morphology, and/or cellular physiology associated with the detachment and resuspension of cultured adherent cells.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an artificial tissue construct that has means for transporting nutrients, oxygen, waste products, or the like and is viable in vivo. The present invention relates to a tissue construct formed in vitro, which comprises a vascular layer, a basal membrane layer, and a tissue-forming cell layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for promoting the adhesion of cells to a substrate to which these cells usually have no or only low affinity, wherein the adhesion of the cells to the substrate is promoted by supplying the cells with the non-muscle myosin II inhibitor Blebbistatin so as to enable the cells to attach to surfaces to which they otherwise would not have sufficient affinity. Surprisingly, supplying the cells with the inhibitor enhances the capability of these cells to attach to surfaces to which they usually have no or only low affinity, for example, PTFE (Teflon®). The invention further concerns uses of the non-muscle myosin II inhibitor Blebbistatin and devices having at least one surface which is coated with cells that have no or only low affinity to said surface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for treating a polymeric surface to define an improved cell culture surface. The method includes the steps of: coating the polymeric surface with a hydrogel; and attaching proteins to the hydrogel-coated surface. Advantageously, a method is provided which consistently produces improved cell culture surfaces that generally avoid bare spots and possible undesired protein absorption or cell differentiation.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to obtain an alternative to a substitute of the mucosa in the middle ear which is engrafted on the surface of the bone in the middle ear, hyperplasia of the granulation tissue and the bone and the development of the fibroblast cell sir the middle ear are suppressed, and to obtain a middle ear mucosa-like cell sheet retaining cilia in the surface layer, comprising culturing nasal epithelium cells on a cell culture substrate coated with a polymer whose hydration force changes within a temperature range of 0 to 80 ° C., wherein the cells are cultured within a temperature range where the hydration force of the polymer is weak, and then changing the temperature to a temperature at which the hydration force is strong to recover the cultured cell sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for mimicking an in vivo environment for culturing cells in vitro. The in vivo mimicking environment is based on the generation of a tissue-specific extracellular matrix wherein the matrix provides a substrate for which the cultured cell originated from. The tissue-specific extracellular matrix can further comprise a component of a whole tissue-specific homogenate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a synthetic cell culture platform, comprising: a two dimensional and/or three dimensional surface comprising peptides conjugated to said surface and methods of using the platform for increasing cell adhesion, stable attachment and/or proliferation of cells grown on the platform and for promoting differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a cell culturing substrate including: a cell culture surface having a film attached thereto, wherein the film includes one or more plasma polymerized monomers; and a coating on the film-coated surface, the coating deposited from a coating solution comprising one or more extracellular matrix proteins and an aqueous solvent, where the total extracellular matrix protein concentration in the coating solution is about 1 ng/mL to about 1 mg/mL.

Abstract: The present invention is of methods of establishing and propagating human embryonic stem cell lines using feeder cells-free, xeno-free culture systems and stem cells which are capable of being maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent and proliferative state in culture which is free of xeno contaminants and feeder cells.

Abstract: The invention concerns non-natural Gly-Xaa-Yaa-protein monomers and non-natural Gly-Xaa-Yaa-proteins comprising or consisting of multimers of the monomers.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cell culture support making the detachment of a cell sheet easy as well as enabling the formation of a uniform cell sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel bone graft and methods for producing said graft. Said bone graft can be used for surgical, plastic and/or cosmetic bone replacement for a patient in need thereof. The bone graft is made of a scaffold or matrix of sheet material having a 3-dimensional pattern of a continuous network of voids and/or indentations for enhancing new bone growth.

Abstract: A modified reconstituted extracellular matrix composition is provided herein. The composition includes an extracellular matrix and at least one exogenous component selected from heparin, fibronectin and laminin. The composition may have a basic pH. Additionally, provided herein is a cell culturing system including a substrate and a coating thereon of the composition to assess potential stimulators and/or inhibitors for their effects on various cell cultures while increasing the signal dynamic range.

Abstract: Provided are a technique for easily forming a spheroid by three-dimensionally culturing hepatocytes, and a technique for forming a spheroid having a higher expression level of a transporter MRP2 playing a role of biliary excretion than that of a conventional method. In order to solve the above-described problems, the present inventors have found out a condition under which hepatocytes easily form the spheroid on a nanopillar sheet. More specifically, this is related to a concentration of Type I collagen coated onto the NP sheet. Also, they have found out a condition under which an expression level of a gene related to the excretion of the formed spheroid is improved. More specifically, after the spheroid is previously formed, a biological matrix is overlayered thereon.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cell culture substrate obtained by forming a coating layer of a polymer on the surface of a substrate, wherein the polymer is formed by polymerizing a monomer component containing a nitrogen atom-containing monomer represented by formula (I): wherein R1 is hydrogen atom or methyl group, R2 is an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, each of R3 and R4 is independently an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R5 is an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and Y is oxygen atom or —NH— group, includes irradiating the polymer with ion beam at a predetermined position of the coating layer of the polymer, to remove the coating layer of the polymer irradiated with the ion beam.